Warriors Walk on Fort Stewart, Georgia, memorializes fallen Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division and attached units who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The memorial has 469 White Crape Myrtle trees that line the sidewalks around Cottrell Field, and is a place of profound reverence for the Soldiers, Family members, Veterans and civilians.
Like any other monument in Coastal Georgia, weather eventually starts to damage the memorials placed throughout Warriors Walk. To counter this, volunteers and members of the 3rd ID began a three-day restoration project for the Warriors Walk that concluded Oct. 5, 2022. The first day was dedicated to removing old signs, the second for repainting memorial pickets, and the last day for hanging new signs for each tree.
“Each of the trees has a unit that identifies the owning unit of the fallen Soldier,” said Capt. Joseph Whitley, an engineer assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division. “Over time, the old pendants have received weather damage, so we have looked for a more durable solution.”
Whitley found that treated aluminum signs hold up better to weather conditions and can last a decade without showing wear and tear. Working together with local volunteers, Whitley and his team procured the new signs and set up a time to emplace them.
Warriors Walk often undergoes maintenance and routine cleaning to ensure it remains a place suitable for solemn reflection, as it holds a special place in the hearts of many in the community.
“I have several of my Soldiers out here who were killed in action,” said Jeffery Scott Ashman, a retired command sergeant major who helped coordinate this restoration project. “We reached out to the Landings Military Family Relief Fund, who are the donors, to support a total replacement of all [469] signs.”
Jeffery has helped clean Warriors Walk for years now, and he has worked with numerous Veteran and civilian-run organizations and businesses to organize refurbishment projects during this time.
Jeffery said it is in his heart to make sure that this stays a living memorial that pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
With fresh paint and new signs, Warriors Walk will continue to serve as a place for quiet reflection and remembrance for years to come.
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